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Radford authorizes attorney to draft release of restrictive covenant for TechLab property with performance protections
Summary
Council authorized the city attorney to prepare or review a deed releasing a restrictive covenant on Lots 11 and 12 at Radford Corporate Park so TechLab can pursue expansion; members sought employment/ performance triggers to allow reversion if operations shrink.
TechLab representative Steve Harvey told council the company seeks removal of a restrictive covenant on Lot 11 of the Radford Corporate Park (7.02 acres) to enable commercial development and expansion. Harvey said TechLab has grown substantially since initial purchase and currently employs roughly 90 people at the Radford site and has invested millions in the facility.
Council members repeatedly emphasized the city’s fiduciary interest in a publicly owned asset and proposed guardrails. Mayor and council requested that any release include a performance or minimum-employment provision so the city has recourse if TechLab’s operations were later pared back; a council member proposed a 20‑employee minimum as a potential trigger for revisiting the agreement. The city attorney said he could prepare documentation or a performance-style agreement and advised that a boundary-line adjustment could accompany the deed work.
Council voted to authorize the city attorney to prepare or review a deed and release for consideration, directing staff and legal counsel to return draft documents for a future council vote. The council’s action authorizes drafting only; final removal of covenants or recordation of a deed would require council approval of the completed documents.
